The irony of incompetence, embarrassment at Interior Ministry

Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen addresses Elgeyo South residents at Kaptarakwa trading centre in Elgeyo Marakwet County, July 4, 2026. [Peter Ochieng, Standard]

When they speak, they ooze confidence laced with political bravado and a rosy picture of the country’s internal security situation and their faultless response to insecurity, chest-thumping on their resolve to tackle critics and opposition, and a cosmetic threat to goons they have bred, financed and protected with state machinery.

But beneath their rhetoric, the country is rapidly sliding into anarchy as a combination of alleged incompetence, nonchalance, abductions and abetting of crime dogs the Ministry of Interior, pushing the country to the brink of collapse to organised criminals.

Observers believe Interior CS Kipchumba Murkomen, PS Raymond Omollo and the Inspector General of Police Douglas Kanja have turned one of the country’s critical ministries into a but of all jokes as insecurity thrives and goons blossom.

It is a problem permeating nearly all aspects of life as insecurity rocks the economy, politics and social activities. As goons thrive, robbers are also having a field day across the country, with reports indicating that since July 1, at least 50 violent robberies have been reported across the country involving at least four AK47 rifles, over ten pistols and assorted crude weapons.

In the past, the Ministry of Interior was one of the most formidable ministries in the country and wielded power and influence. However, in the last few years, that influence has waned as lethargic handling of internal security becomes the norm and blatant abuse of the constitution through abductions and murder of civilians takes over.

Under their watch, police officers charged with the responsibility to protect Kenyans have formed an unholy union with goons, protecting them as they wreak terror on Kenyans and target perceived critics of the government. In places where the government’s interests have been at stake, Murkomen’s lieutenants have been glad to look the other way as goons wreaked havoc.

In their series of flaws, not even President Ruto has been left unscathed after a series of embarrassing security breaches targeting the president, prompting a reshuffle on his security detail and a shakeup early this year on his security detail two months ago.

This year alone, the president’s security was breached at least three times, further raising questions about the dedication of the security officials to tackle crime and bolster internal security. Some observers and politicians believe the turn of events is the making of the president and his allies, who have handed goons the power to protect them in public events under the pretence of empowerment.

On May 24, 2026, an unidentified man successfully breached the stage, reached the podium, and physically grabbed President Ruto by the shoulder. On February 12, 2026, a similar incident happened in Wajir when a man managed to approach the podium undetected from the president’s blind side. Similarly, in Mombasa, another man raced towards the president in Mombasa as he delivered his speech.

While such incidents involving the president appear to have toned down, ordinary Kenyans and his own allies are now the ones facing the wrath of the lethargic handling of the country’s internal security as goons and organised gangs take over.

For the trio, their constitutional mandate of protecting lives and property amid rising cases of violent crime, alleged abductions, political violence and organised criminal activity is just writing on paper.

Under their watch, the country is rapidly sliding into anarchy as goons take over. Their response is endless statements, cosmetic arrests and a jibe at the opposition as their appetite for politics supersedes the safety of Kenyans. Both Murkomen and Omollo have morphed into full-fledged politicians leading President Ruto’s reelection campaigns even as insecurity thrives in their docket.

Yesterday, as the backlash of the worsening goon attacks across the country permeated the country, Murkomen embraced diversionary tactics by blaming some politicians for fueling the vice of goonism.

“Politicians should stop exaggerating for their own political gains. There is no particular political side where politicians are mobilising goons; all sides of the political spectrum have such people,” said Murkomen. He was speaking in Turkana, where he also drummed up support for President Ruto’s reelection.

He claimed that they have managed to tackle all key insecurity concerns in the country and cannot fail when it comes to tackling goons, while also dismissing claims that police were lethargic in handling goons.

Observers believe the goon issue is by design to scare Kenyans and are pessimistic that the situation will be resolved.

“Goonism is deliberate. It is being used to intimidate wananchi into silence and fear. If the government genuinely wanted to arrest those behind these acts, they could do so before sunset. Goonism has become a calculated way of gradually weakening and disrupting protests," argues Nairobi University researcher Prof XN Iraki.

As Kenyans struggle to make sense of their strategy to restore order and sanity in the country, the attacks are increasing, the political gangs are blossoming, and insecurity is becoming a norm across the country. Unlike the past, where daring attacks were conducted under the cover of darkness, Murkomen’s reign has shown thugs that darkness and CCTV cameras are just an illusion.

On Sunday, as goons wreaked havoc in Ol Kalou and Kisumu, PS Omollo was busy chiding the church for allegedly acting as staging grounds for divisions. He has also faced criticism for claiming that no Kenyans have been abducted during Ruto’s regime.

Speaking during a church service at St Pascal Catholic Church in Chiga, Homa Bay County, Omollo urged religious leaders to safeguard the sanctity of church pulpits by ensuring they are used to promote peace, unity and national cohesion rather than political intolerance and divisive rhetoric.

"Let us not desecrate our churches by allowing platforms meant for spiritual nourishment to be used to spread division and hatred. The Church must continue standing for truth, peace and unity," said Omollo.

But as he spoke in Homa Bay, a bystander effect had befallen his officers as they watched nonchalantly as a group of goons gathered and prepared to attack congregants at St. Stephen's Cathedral in Kisumu, located barely 100 meters from Kisumu Central Police Station. Two people would later succumb to their injuries after the goons clashed with another rival group.

On the same day, the security detail of Mathare MP Anthony Oluoch was forced to fire warning shots to scare a group of youths who had stormed fired warning shots to disperse a group of youths who allegedly confronted them to demand handouts.

The incident occurred on Sunday afternoon during a home-opening ceremony at Rambula Angolo Market in Ugunja Sub- County attended by more than 600 people.

In Nyanza, Omollo is leading a drive for Ruto’s reelection as they bid to tilt the support of the late ODM leader Raila Odinga to Ruto. Here, however, insecurity is thriving, and daily attacks by thugs on innocent civilians are no longer a surprise.

In the region, the attacks have been brazen, frequent and without any boundaries as some of the goons during the day morph into vicious robbers at night, leaving behind grieving families, incapacitated victims and a string of police statements condemning the vice, but without action.

The concerns come against the backdrop of increasing reports of insecurity across the country, including allegations of enforced disappearances, police brutality, political hooliganism and murder, incidents that have left many Kenyans questioning whether the country's security agencies are adequately addressing emerging threats.

Advocate William Onyonje said the Interior Ministry, once regarded as one of the most influential government dockets, appeared to have lost public confidence due to what he described as declining leadership and coordination of national security.

He noted that previous holders of the Interior docket, including the late George Saitoti, the late Joseph Nkaissery and former Cabinet Secretary Fred Matiang'i, were widely perceived as firm administrators who inspired confidence in the country's security apparatus.

"Without security, businesses suffer, investors lose confidence and citizens live in fear. It is the responsibility of those entrusted with this docket to ensure Kenyans are safe at all times," Onyonje said.

According to the lawyer, the country has witnessed an increase in organised criminal gangs and allegations that rogue elements may have infiltrated security operations, concerns he said require urgent investigations.

Victor Odinga, a resident of Busia County, said increasing cases of theft and violent attacks had left many people living in fear.

"We want to feel safe again. People should be able to leave their homes and businesses without constantly worrying about criminal attacks. Security should be the government's priority," he said.

Another resident, Chantel Musimbi, said insecurity continues to hurt businesses by discouraging customers and investors.

"When insecurity rises, customers avoid going out, businesses close early and investors become reluctant to expand. The economy cannot thrive where people fear for their safety," she said.

Recently, the trio was at the forefront in sending some of the country’s finest officers to restore order in Haiti and fight gangs, yet back at home, crime is thriving as the leaders in charge of the critical docket empower anarchy.

According to Prof Charles Nyambuga, a communications researcher at Maseno University, the Ministry has failed Kenyans and has failed to guarantee Kenyans of their security.

The Ministry of Interior needs to do much more than it is currently doing to guarantee the security of Kenyans. In many of these incidents, state security agencies have also been accused of complicity. The Ministry has failed because it has not taken decisive action. Ultimately, the buck stops with the ministry."

Mark Bichachi, a political pundit, opines that the problem lies with the politicians who are actively engaging the goons to run their narratives.